An update has emerged on Joe Rothwell, regarding Rangers’ interest in his services.
What’s the talk?
According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Rangers are weighing up a swoop for Blackburn midfielder Rothwell.
The report claims that he is out of contract at the end of the season and the Gers could snap him up on a pre-contract agreement in January.
Get it done
Rangers chief Ross Wilson must secure a deal to sign Rothwell on a free transfer in the January window. The Gers have a key advantage over any English side wanting to sign him as they are able to agree a pre-contract with the player in January, whereas teams south of the border will have to wait until his contract expires to speak with him.
36-year-old Steven Davis has been a regular this season, with 13 appearances to his name, and Rothwell could be seen as a long-term replacement for the former Southampton man. Davis has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.99 in the Premiership this term, winning 50% of his duels and making 2.3 interceptions and tackles per game.
Rothwell, who is ten years younger than the Gers man, has averaged a score of 6.90 in 11 Championship outings for Blackburn. He has won 54% of his duels and made 2.1 interceptions and tackles per game, suggesting that he has been performing to a similar level in comparison to Davis, albeit in different competitions.
Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray once hailed the midfielder and urged him to get closer to the opposition goal. He said:
“He’s an exciting talent, he’s exceedingly fast, he keeps the ball really tight. We want him running towards the opposition goal rather than across the pitch.”
The £4.1k-per-week beast could be signed without Rangers needing to spend a penny on him in terms of a transfer fee and he could represent a bargain for the club.
This is why Wilson must work hard to secure a deal for him in the upcoming transfer window, so that he could potentially replace the ageing Davis heading into the 2022/23 campaign.
AND in other news, 18x possession lost: Wilson sent Rangers transfer warning by dud with 44% pass success…